Day 45 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Valuable
Proverbs 8:1-11 [NKJV] 1 Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: 4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice [is] to the sons of men. 5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips [will come] right things; 7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth [are] with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse [is] in them. 9 They [are] all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
Maybe this section reminds you of the saying “A fool and his money are soon parted.” That is credited to Thomas Tusser, English poet, 1524-1580. Many people think this saying is in the Bible. It isn’t. But, certainly, this sentiment – that a fool is easily separated from the things of value in his life – permeates the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs talks about fools who invest in risky schemes, who lend money or things unwisely, who foolishly spend on pleasure, or drink away their income and so much more.
Proverbs 8:10-11 warn of another way that foolishness assigns value. These verses encourages us to appropriately assign value and worth to the riches of wisdom and God’s Holy word – value equal to or greater than rubies, silver and gold. The implication is that fools don’t know the great value of wisdom and God’s word.
Wisdom helps us to make good choices in all things – jobs or careers, the choice of a mate, business relationships, friendships and family relations. Wisdom will have us choose God’s way over Satan’s temptations and the world’s ideas about fun and truth and right. Wisdom will help us not only speak the right words, but also know when not speak. It will give us the power to keep those lips shut.
The perspective of wisdom helps us to see trouble coming and get out of its way.
We can probably each easily think of a time or two when we should have held onto wisdom like it was a ruby and gold ring, but instead gave into human reasoning, Satan’s temptation or the pressure of a crowd, and made a decision which later cost us dearly - either in money or time or relationships or at least cost our pride when we had to be humbled and apologize.
I have a beautiful wedding ring that means the world to me because of the love it represents. So, I care for it, polish it, keep safe and have the stones checked from time-to-time to ensure they aren’t loose. Proverbs 8:1-11 bids me to take as much care of wisdom as I do that ring – to value it not only as precious to my spiritual health (which it is) but also as valuable to keeping my body safe.
Just as a wedding ring is a symbol of the love of husband and wife, wisdom is a precious symbol of God’s love for us. We must be sure to recognize its value and treat it accordingly.
Prayer — Father God, Thank you for the wisdom of your Word and the Holy Spirit. Your true wisdom is precious and to be cared for as our most valuable possessions. Thank you for entrusting me with your true wisdom. Help me to hold onto is and to use it for the good of my body, mind, relationships and spirit. In the name of your wise and Holy Son, Jesus, I ask. Amen.
Your thoughts —
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